Shades of Purple

A single candle burns,

flame stutters and

rights itself as

I enter the room.

All is still, just the

faint sound of

electricity humming.

 

And you, at rest,

quiet.  Never seen

you so quiet, so still.

Quite eerie. I

hang back, half

expecting you to sit

up, say “boo”, smile,

laugh, make a face,

scare the s**t out

of me but that doesn’t

happen.  I edge closer

“hello dad”

You look smart in

dark pinstripe,

lilac shirt, diamond

patterned tie in

shades of purple,

my favourite colour.

 

Brass handles on teak,

floor standing flower

arrangements spill white

on dusky pink carpet

and a box of tissues sit

on a low wooden table.

I don’t use the last one,

somehow that would

seem rude.

 

I relax, pull up a

chair, feels good

to sit with you again,

as we have so many

times these last months.

 

With the back of my

fingers, I stroke

your cheek, smooth

your lapel then fix

a white rose in

your buttonhole,

wondering if a

falling tear might

wake you up.

 

Glad you had 

a haircut, now

you are ready to

go and meet mum.

Reviews

[JohnL]

A poem to demonstrate that love is stronger than death. The bond transcends. A generation has left but is still here in the mind - and always will be. How wonderful too that you can bridge that seemingly infinits gap by sharing a joke with the father who is still alive in your heart. Feelings can cause chaos to the concentration yet here you have composed with skill, a poem that contains emotion, love, humour and respect. My sympathy and my admiration,

John

[R J Askew]

Very, very moving ... a class act of a poem ... it takes us there ... we see all you describe ... it takes us there emotionally as well. I think this poem will rock those who know your father to the core. I think the humour you put in it will reach people who knew him ... they will see him getting up to ambush you ... they will want to smile ... but it will trigger the reality of what has happened ... it is very, very powerful.

[Angel's Lady]

Hugs, doll...your words are beautifully penned, and please know you are close in my thoughts.

[Astrid Hamilton]

...How handsome he looks! I take it he is waiting to get married? Or maybe take his wife on a date...
no matter; This is sweet dialogue, vivid monologue to a special day this little (girl) ? will always remember.
It takes my breath away.

[deeps]

I can feel the emotion in this and it's very well written.
I like this write alot.